YOUNGSTERS from Staindrop Primary School sang out in celebration last week after their school was ranked among the top one per cent in England for its progress in core subjects.
Last month the school received notification from minister for schools, Damian Hinds MP, that it had exceeded the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics for key stage two.
In a letter, Mr Hinds said: “This means that for achievement in reading, writing and mathematics, Staindrop CoE Primary School is in the top one per cent of primary schools in the country.”
The news was announced to parents, family, friends and members of the community, who packed into St Mary’s Church, in Staindrop, on Friday when pupils performed the free concert.
Youngsters sang a range of pop songs including River Deep Mountain High, Sweet Dreams and Sunshine on a Rainy Day, all with choreographed routines they had learned during sessions with Ashling McCann, from ISing Pop.
During the concert lyrics scrolled on electronic screens around the church to encourage members of the audience to join in.
Vicar Revd Eileen Harrop said: “We are excited in the church because we are doing all these things in the parish with the school.
“We are doing more things to inspire the children and build closer ties with the community.
“We have a missioner who is going into the school and it gives us that link with them.
“We are demonstrating that the church is there for all members of the community.”
Headteacher Steve Whelerton, who has been at the school for 15 years, was delighted with the acknowledgement and believes the success is down to the happiness of the children in school.
He said: “It is very different to what we have done in the past. But it is lovely to see the children enjoying doing the dance and singing.
“It fits in with the things that we are doing at the school expanding our arts programme.”
He added: “Finding out that we are in the top one per cent of schools in the country – it’s nice and doing this and other creative things at the school creates enjoyment.
“Having happy and keen youngsters with a love of learning, which they do, we have all the ingredients to do well.
“We are delighted with the news but it is down to hard work and a desire to learn and having children that want to do that.”
